St. Bernard Sports $75 Gift Certificate Giveaway!

A couple of weeks ago, St. Bernard Sports contacted me about doing a promotion and review on my blog. Having lived in the DFW area all my life, I knew what a cool shop this was. Even though it is really popular in the metroplex and is known as the place to go for your skiing needs and wants, for the longest time it was the only local store where I could find my Vineyard Vines polos. And I loved it for that! ;)

There are only a handful of brick and mortar stores in Dallas and Austin, so thankfully they have an online shop where you can peruse not only 'sporty' type clothing brands like The Northface and Helly Hansen but also popular fashion lines like Lilly Pulitzer and Ugg.

Graciously, they sent Southern Hubby a super cute Skip Jack polo shirt from the popular Southern Tide line. He absolutely loved it, dressing it down in his jeans or wearing it to dinner tucked into his khaki pants with a pair of classic Sperrys. (Can I just tell you how stinking cute he looks in his Sperrys? Love it!)

 
And they are giving you a chance to go on a little spree of your with a $75 gift certificate to their online store!

How stinkin' cool is that?!

Look at these Lilly P. cords you can get or this super warm looking Northface vest?

Being a shoe girl myself, I'd probably put my winnings towards a pair of adroable Hunter wellies or these Sperry slip ons. It's been pretty ice and slushy over here so these shoes would do nicely! :)

Here's how to enter:

Entry #1: Leave a comment telling me what your favorite brand is from St. Bernard Sports

Entry #2: Become a follower of Her Southern Charm.

Entry #3: Become a fan of St. Bernard Sports on Facebook or follow their Twitter

* Remember to leave a seperate comment for each entry or it won't count! *

* Contest ends Sunday night (2/13) at 11:59pm

* The lucky winner will be announced next Monday on Valentine's Day and will be immediately given a promo code for their gift certificate! :)

Can I just tell you how jealous I am!? There is so much to see and buy here! :) Good luck and happy shopping!

Coast Preppy Polo Giveaway!

Riddle me this: Can a preppy girl have too many polos?

Me thinks not.

I'm an avid collector of them and I don't discriminate. I love them all. From the alligators to the lobsters to the cute blue whales.

But I've got a new one for you- Coast's crab! :) It's my new favorite!

I was introduced to Coast apparel when a rep for the company contacted me about doing a giveaway on my blog. I am one lucky gal, cause they sent me all kinds of goodies! The newest upscale clothing line, Coast is all about comfortable living without sacrificing style.

Best known for their popular Winyah polo shirts, they also make men's button up shirts, fleece outerwear, pants, visors, tees, koozies, croakies, pretty much everything you need for a preppy wardrobe.

 

Their motto is "Where taking it easy is serious business". Sounds like a lifestyle I can get behind! ;)

And you can be one lucky gal, too! Coast sent me a men's polo shirt, koozie and stickers to giveaway to one of my readers! Yay for easy peasy holiday shopping- these are fabulous gifts to give daddy, hubby or your boyfriend! If you win, you will receive this fun package: one Men's Winyah polo shirt, a koozie and some adorable Coast stickers. ;)

To enter:

1. Leave a comment (include your email address if you do not have a blog)

2. Post this on your blog, Facebook or Twitter (include the link)

3. Become a follower of my blog (scout's honor system)

That's it! Remember, separate comments for each entry! The contest will end next Friday the 17th at midnight. Winner will be announced that weekend.

Pssst, even if you don't win or enter, you can still get 25% off everything in their online store. Use code GRAFCOW. Expires 12/31/10 And, all their women's polos are on sale right now, too. Bonus! Seriously. Go check them out. http://www.coastapparel.com/

Good luck!

Crunchy Chic

I'm getting crunchier by the minute, I swear.

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you'll know I have a slight addiction to beautiful leather purses and expensive J.Crew driving moccasins. You'll also be aware of the fact that I adore animals and am a proud card carrying member of Peta.

Can someone say contradicting interests much?

In my effort to de-Kate Spade myself, I've been trying to find animal friendly purses. Still on a high from the cuteness that is this preppy headband, I perused American Chic and found a super adorable purse!

Not only is this bag adorable with a capital A, but it's animal friendly, too! No leather in sight! When I got the bag in the mail, it came in its own dust bag and everything. I'm a sucker for the details. :) I was a bit skeptical at first, thinking it would be really obvious that it wasn't real leather, but this bag did not disappoint. It was made very well. Can't wait to do the whole 'to do' that is the changing of the purses. ;)

Now, I just had to take care of the shoes...

I was so surprised when I found out that Endless had a vegetarian shoe section. Eeeek!

Now if you're thinking animal friendly isn't chic, look at these babies!

Oh, how I love flats! And what I love even more is the philosophy of olsenHaus. Cruelty free fashion. Loving it! Y'all know I'm snatching these babies up just as soon as Lent is over!

I'm getting really excited to find that I can be stylish and still be conscious of my animal friends. :) And check out Alicia Silverstone's blog, the Kind Life. She has some great fashion and foodie inspiration. Totally wanting her book, too!

While I'm nowhere near where I want to be on this journey, I can feel myself becoming more and more conscious of what I put in and on my body. You have to start somewhere, right?

So, what are YOUR best cruelty-free finds?

xoxo

Kiel James Patrick Comes to Texas!

When God doles out looks, brains, creativity, style, and business sense all to one person it can seem quite unfair. That is, until you realize that person is not only incredibly gracious, but also kind and generous as well.

Meet Kiel James Patrick. Owner and designer of the wonderfully successful brand that shares his name. When I first talked to Kiel, he seemed like a seriously down to earth guy, humble, well mannered and funny. I knew I had to get a couple of questions in to get to know him a bit better. :) I think I'm going to give Baba Wawa a run for her money!

HSC: What inspires your accessories? Where do you get your inspiration from?
KJP: Since I was a kid my eyes were always drawn to unusual outfit combinations… plaids with stripes, polka dots and zig zags, bright silk icon ties & bowties. I would truly say my inspiration comes from high society folk who dare wear those outfits that turn your head and make you grin, yet inside you wonder if you could pull it off yourself.

www.kieljamespatrick.com

HSC: Who are your style/fashion icons?

KJP: You will never see me browsing through any type of fashion publication unless it is pre 1960. Our studio is a historical museum of the originators in effortless American elegance. Bobby, Jack & Jackie are 3 icons that I am constantly looking to for guidance. I truly believe that members of a lifestyle company need to literally be living the lifestyle in order to truly understand and represent the company image. We do this by building our company the old fashion way utilizing skilled workers in our area to make products that will make older generation say “they make ‘em like they used to”.

HSC: If were deserted on a desert island, what 3 things would you take with you?
KJP: A Genie, The Hatch from LOST & plenty of sunscreen.

HSC: You carry yourself like a southern gentleman- humble, generous and gracious. Are you sure you weren't born in the South?
KJP: Hmmmm… you haven’t heard my Boston accent yet have you? I was brought up in the Ocean State by a loving Irish Catholic couple Jim & Jayne. They always taught me that I wouldn’t stand out much in life if I was arrogant, greedy & ill-mannered ; ) I suppose I have a southern heart with a strong love for the New England shores.

How cute is he?! Love those answers! Ok, now on to the goodies!

When I got my KJP products in the mail, I was astonished at how much attention was paid to details in the packaging.

Everything was wrapped in a preppy fabric and came tied with white string, lending an air of nautical preppiness to it all. I'm a sucker for details.
But not only were the details in the packaging, they also extended to the products themselves. Each bracelet is backed by cute fabric and comes with the signature KJP button. And on top of that, you get to choose what color you want your button to be!! Fun!

We're living in a headband world and I'm a headband girl! This is going to be just perfect for my summer dresses! And because it's a neutral style, I'll be able to wear it with so many things. Loving this guy's style even more!

You guys are in on the beginnings of the new 'it' boy. Head over to his shop and get some goodies for yourself. I swear, they are going to be the things to wear when the warm weather gets here. :) And PS for all the single ladies out there...he sends a postcard of his cutie patootie face with each order! Now if that isn't motivation to place an order, then I don't know what is! :)

Many thanks to Mr. Patrick for giving me a chance to review some of his awesome products and get in some nosy questions. ;) I wore some stuff this weekend and got many compliments. Can't wait for summer now!

xoxo

Swoon, I'm in Love.

Swoon, I'm in Love. KJP, you've stolen my heart!

More to come Monday!

Yay!

Want a preppy Burberry Headband?

Want an uber cute and chic Burberry headband?

Yeah, me too!!!

Want to pay $95 for it?

Yeah, me neither.

I'm SO loving this headband that mimics the infamous Burberry Nova Check. And I'm OH SO loving the price. Ummmm, $14.95. I'll take one, thank you very much! Throw in a 10% coupon code, and I may be sweet and get one for my preppy sissy, too! {{ prep10 }}

The good folks at American Chic were so kind and they sent me one to review. It's been a rotating staple in my wardrobe ever since. I love it! The quality is divine and it fits like a glove. And no one knows I spent under $15 for it! I love when I look good. And I love when it fits my budget. :)

xoxo

Today...

... I will be completing my second day of training of the Couch to 5K program. My first day's training kicked my butt. Thank God, I had my Polar F7. It really did help keep me going and I was able to see how many calories I'd burned afterwards. 804 kcals, baby! Worth every cent I paid for it!

... My throat is hurting a bit but I'm more focused on Southern Hubby who is really a sicky-poo right now.

... I finished my J.Crew wanna be ruffle shirt. It cost me $7. Much less than the one I was going to get from J. Crew. I got the shirt at Joanns and used some old knit shirts that I found in my Goodwill pile. It was pretty easy to make. If anyone would like a tutorial for it, let me know and I'll see if I can get one up! 

... I got a surprising email from a national cable TV station with an interesting opportunity. Hmmmm...

 ... I'm wishing I had a couple leftover Superbowl cookies I made last weekend. But not enough to have to re-clean up the mess they made during the last round.

.... I plan on doing the same thing I did last night. Have a cup of tea, read, and work on some knitting. Yes, I'm a gal in my late 20's. No, I do not spend my nights in bars anymore. And I like it that way, thankyouverymuch! ;)

... I dreaming of another ruffle project to do. So many possibilities!

Today will be a good day. :)

xoxo

A True Prep...

* ... will always choose a classic style over fad/trendy fashions.

*... will always treat everyone, from the Queen of England to the bus boy at restaurant with courtesy and respect.

* A true prep's wardrobe consists of some expensive clothing, but they've had it for the better part of a decade.

*... knows the importance of manners. And uses them!

* does not pop the collars of American Eagle/Abercrombie & Fitch polo shirts. A true prep abhors flaunting labels, choosing to maintain subtle fashion over gaudiness.

* prefers a well-built car, like a Volvo sedan over flashy vehicles. You will not see them driving a yellow Hummer or red Ferrari.

*...would rather spending the evening at home, hosting dinner and drinks with friends, than at a loud and smoky bar paying $12 for the latest mixed drink craze.

*...knows the concept of 'trying too hard,' and avoids it by being practical and sticking with the classics.

* is a classy individual. They know where to go, who to know and they seriously believe in class. They do the right things, whether it's holding the door for a lady, mixing a Gin and Tonic with the right proportions, or double-spacing after every period when drafting an essay. Being a prep is not a trend, it is a way of life.

Now, I want to hear your thoughts! Fill in the blank, sweet readers! A True Prep ______.

xoxo

On a mission..in search of equestrian prep

Ahhh....equestrian prep. For some reason, it's one of my fave styles of preppy fashion. Maybe it's the fitted blazers. Maybe it's the horses. Maybe it's the boots. Ok, it's definitely the boots.

Today, I'm on a mission to find some fabulous riding boots. I do intend to take these up to north for Christmas so I don't want to break the bank. ::FYI Southern gals, snow and leather do NOT mix. Seriously, northern preps, how do you keep your fashionable sense of style while keeping your body temperature above freezing?::

Quick embarassing story: My first trip with Southern Hubby (Southern Boyfriend at the time) occurred in February. My bags were packed full of my super cutest. It was the first time I was to meet his family, after all. My winter gear consisted of black leather pointy boots and a chic black leather car coat ::both of which were the height of fashion at the time:: I don't think I need to tell you what kind of looks this girl got when she headed into town... I was mortified. And f-f-freezing. A cute leather jacket could cut it in Dallas, but these people were bundled up like eskimos. Everyone was wearing parkas and work boots.  I guess up north, it's survival/comfort before fashion. To this day I still get comments about the city girl trying to make her way in the snow.

Again, back to the topic at hand...I fully intend to find some boots online. ::I do not feel like braving the malls today. A J.Crew trip yesterday left me worse for wear. So, I'm all about staying in my flannel pj's with my hot cup of coffee::

I don't know if I can do it, but I want to stay in the $150-$200 range. I'll hit up the usual online stores but I plan on scoping out a couple of new ones I recently heard about. If I go in with a positive attitude, I know it will happen! Wish me luck!!

xoxo

To monogram a monogram?

Saw this debate on Prep School 101, I had to chime my opinion in...

Y'all know I love me some monograms. And y'all also know that I don't like to wear any monogram but my own. So you must know when I saw this, I thought LV was going just a tad bit overboard.

I'm not a huge LV fan to begin with, but monogram on a monogram? Like one commenter said, I'd much prefer a plain black or dark brown LV in the doctor's bag shape with my monogram letters embossed. Now that would be classic and simply beautiful!

The horizontal stripes remind me of the Gucci's red and green stripes, which are indeed adorable. And while the 'choosing your own color combo' option has the potential to be darling, I think I'll opt out. Besides, I'd rather spend the extra $300 it would take to get this painted on (yes, it is not even embroidered!) on a classic and simple Kate Spade wallet. Thankyouverymuch. :) What can I say? I'm a simple girl with expensive taste! lol What do you think? Yay or nay?

Happy hump day!

xoxo Y

An Outdoorsy Prep?

Is there such a thing?

Click on here for details on a couple of things I'd pack on a camping trip or just to hang out and play tennis or golf.

As I twittered a couple days back, I'm struggling between my love for camping, kayaking, hiking, and grosgrain, monograms and Lilly! What is a girl to do?!

Am I the only one stuck in between the great outdoors and the great J.Crew, and Ralph Lauren? What do you think?

Happy camper ready for the next adventure!
xoxo Y

PS- I'll have a Churchill update tomorrow. I spoke with the great people at the San Antonio Animal Services and got some good news and bad news. :( Please continuing keeping our sweet boy in your prayers.

Southern Finds: Headbands

I've been a headband girl since way back when, so when I saw a gal who's blog name was Headbands and Handbangs, well, duh- I had to check her out! She is super cute! And did a fab giveaway I just missed- it was for a darling headband with a side bow. Right now, I'm all about the side decorations on the head.

I found a couple of cute ones on Etsy, too.

In love, in love! This red floral headband would look great with the fall browns and creams coming up next season. And this one would look great on both blondes and us hottie brunettes! ;)

And this one, I have to have. So, so chic and romantic! I want, I want!! I haven't quite decided if I want to pay almost $30 for a headband, but isn't it fabulous!?

I often wonder if I could pull off a feather headband. It's very chic, but a little bit too on the Carrie side and not the Charlotte side, which I tend to wear. What do you think?

If you're in the market for one, I'd make a stop at Plume and Bloom. Oh my goodness, the headbands in this Etsy shop are to die for! So elegant and beautiful, but I can totally see myself wearing one in a casual outfit with jeans, too.

Since it's terribly hot here in Texas, I like to let my hair dry curly. I get lazy and don't feel like blowing hot air on my head, so I just take the easy way out, put some Phytodefrisant Balm in my hair, scrunch, and go. Seriously, it's that easy. I've heard mixed reviews about Phyto. I've never had any problems with it. Sometimes my hair will get frizzy despite this balm, but it's normally when the humidity is super high.

When I go super relaxed like this, I like to dress it up a bit with a cute headband or clip. It makes me feel less frumpy, even if my hair is thrown up in a loose bun. And with this heat it normally is. Heck, I'm lucky if I can get some make up to stay on longer than an hour. The sweat just runs it all down my face. It's so sad. And such a waste! :(

And speaking of makeup, I'm thinking about doing a post on what I use. I had a girl ask me about it a long long time ago and just never got around to it. We'll see...

Don't forget to sign up for the Ame & Lulu giveaway- the belt is too precious to pass up!

Happy headband-wearin',

xoxo Y

Monograms: Yours, Mine, Ours?

Being a Southern girl, I have an admitted penchant for monograms. Whenever I can, I like to emblazon my letters on my possessions. It doesn't matter what it is. If there's room, I can make it work.

However, I often wonder if there are unspoken rules concerning monograms. For example, how much is too much? A monogrammed headband, necklace, polo shirt and flip-flops...going too far? Does is scream, "Look at my initials! See how cute they are together?" Generally speaking, I like to limit my monograms to appear on just a couple select pieces, with one being descreet, like a signet ring. Personally, I do not like to call attention to myself or my attire. You do not want to be the loudest, most extravagant, most branded, most colorful, most anything in your group.

Another rule that isn't often discussed is one that I am particularly picky about. It concerns wearing a monogram/brand name that is not your own. Sweet readers, it is not my intention to make anyone feel badly, as this rule is not often followed, but I simply cannot wear someone else's initials. I just can't do it. I know that there are millions that adore Louis Vuitton and Gucci, but my name starts with a J, not an L or a G, I won't be putting those letters on anything of mine. My sweet and generous husband gave me a gorgeous Gucci bag for Christmas several years ago. I love it and use it often because it was a lovely gift. But I would have never purchased it on my own. This is why I don't own one of those "big C" Coach bags, but have a collection Kate Spades, who often embosses her name on the leather making it difficult to find. I much prefer a simple bag, in a single color, in a classic silhouette. I am not trying to impress anybody with brands and an array of letters all over my clothes. And besides, someone with good taste will always be able to spot another person with good taste. And for the record, good taste does not always equal 'most expensive.'

Classic. Simple. Me.

Loud. Obnoxious. Orange. Not me.

Timeless. Elegant. *swoon* Hermes. Grace Kelly. (who sadly is not me)

Tacky. Obvious. Definitely not me.

You will also never see me in shirt with the word, "GAP" slapped across my chest. You can go through my closet and not see one "Abercrombie," or "Polo," or "Tommy." And please do not even get me started on those Armani Exchange t-shirts. A/X?! No thanks.

However you will see the little horse and man, some whales, crocodiles, and a few scattered palm trees. (Whenever I can get around to reading my embroidery machine instructions, I will be purchasing the non-tagged J.Crew polos and embroider my monogram in place of an icon.) I try my best to be discreet about the brand I am wearing, therefore making it much easier to pair beautiful linen J.Crew summer slacks with a fitted boatneck shirt from Target. It is much more budget friendly to mix and match quality pieces with inexpensive ones. But always make sure that your more quality items are what the outfit is built around. Make that piece the highlight.

Hmmm... no, not so much.

I just spent the better part of two hours looking through my collection of etiquette and manners books to find the source of this rule. I know it is out there but I just cannot find it. If anyone has an idea, please let me know as it is driving me crazy.

What is your opinion on this? Where do you draw the line on monograms? I know I am probably in the minority on this one, but the only name brand I want to market is my own. ;)

Happy weekend! We are halfway finished with summer, Texas! Yay!
xoxo Y